The Food & Drug Administration, which now regulates tobacco, is concerned that the industry is trying to lure young people to tobacco products. (It’s considering restrictions on menthol cigarettes because young adults and adolescents may take up the habit because they supposedly love that special flavor.) The FDA is also fretting about the growing popularity of smokeless products.

If the FDA were smart it would encourage companies to advocate switching to these safer alternatives. They give users a nicotine kick without destroying their lungs. Thus, those apt to pick up the cigarette habit can do so in a far healthier way–and also not subject others to second-hand smoke.

But regulators and crusaders want the prohibition continued. Sure, it would be nice if no one used tobacco. But the habit isn’t going to cease to exist, particularly now that there’s a concerted push to legalize marijuana, the smoke of which is far more hazardous to people’s health. Younger people should be allowed to learn that smokeless tobacco, including those no-spit nicotine strips, are far preferable to cigarettes.